Last Time: The evil Bison is far from dead and he has a plan to resurrect Shadaloo and take over the world. It involves using the Clow Cards held by Sakura Avalon. Meanwhile, someone is trying to kill Sakura. Does that have anything to do with Bison's plan? And who is trying to kill Sakura?


Plucking a Cherry Blossom: Part 2


Scene: Sakura's Room (Another 20 minutes later)

Perspective: Sakura Avalon

It took Sakura a while to finally get this scary secret off her chest. Needless to say, Madison was shocked to hear it. It was just so hard to hear that someone was trying to kill Sakura.

"But…why would anyone want to kill you?" Madison asked. She sounded heartbroken.

"I just don't know," Sakura cried. "I can't understand it, but the attempts haven't stopped. I don't know why anybody would try to have me killed."

"When did this start, Sakura?" Madison asked.

"About…two weeks ago," Sakura answered.

"And you've kept this a secret from me since then?" Madison demanded. "How could you? You know how much I care about you, how could you keep this from me? And you've kept this from me, too, Li?"

Li didn't say anything. He was eyeing the window. His stare was almost…cold.

Sakura was getting curious…and scared. "L-Li?"

"Someone's out there," he finally said.

Just then, another arrow flew in from the window. It didn't even come close to hitting Sakura that time, but it just hit the wall. Sakura looked out the window and didn't see a sign of anybody. She looked over to see Li walking up to the arrow. He pulled it off the wall and opened the note that was attached. Sakura nervously approached Li and glanced at the note. And she turned white at the note's message.

You cannot be allowed to continue living. You will DIE, Sakura!

~* Not again! I can't go on like this! I can't keep fearing for my life! I just want this to END! *~

Sakura didn't say anything. She only leaned on Li's shoulder and started to cry. Li caught Sakura in an embrace, but kept his eyes focused on the window. Sakura wouldn't know where or when, but someone would strike again.

But she only wanted to understand why.

Scene: Outside the Shadaloo Stronghold

Perspective: Sagat

After learning everything about Bison's elaborate plan, there was nothing left but to leave the Shadaloo stronghold. Bison walked out, leading his three followers; Sagat, Vega the vain Spanish assassin, and Balrog the rogue boxer. Bison pulled out a remote control and pressed a button. Out of the shambles of the Shadaloo stronghold began to rise a jet. The jet was an eyesore, but it was still intact.

"Excuse the appearance of my personal jet," Bison began, "but it has been a long time. It should still work, however, and that will serve me well. It's time for us to travel."

"Travel where?" Sagat asked.

"I must make sure everything is going according to plan," Bison replied. "To do that, we'll have to make a quick stop at a small Japanese town…called Reedington."

"You've had this plan intact for while, Bison," Sagat said. "I see you've made all the necessary arrangements."

"This plan is much more complicated than you might think, Sagat," Bison responded. "It's like I said, I know Sakura Avalon better than most people think. I've learned a lot about her during my time here and I know about her…and those she cares about. But I cannot complete this alone, I'll need some…special help. That's why I've called you three.

"You three can do me a great service by assisting me in getting the Clow mistress. You've served me very well in the past and I am confident that with your help, Shadaloo can rise again."

Sagat shook his head. "But you know the reason I've always stayed with you, Bison. You know what I want."

Sagat could see from the look on Bison's face that he knew. Sagat lived only for one thing. He wanted revenge on the one who took his Street Fighter tournament title. He wanted revenge on the warrior, Ryu. Sagat wanted Ryu to pay not only for taking his title, but for leaving a permanent scar on his chest with his Dragon Punch.

~* Yes…you know what I want, Bison. I'm not your little puppet. I'm only sticking with you for one reason. I want Ryu and I want to destroy him for what he's cost me! *~

"You shall have him, Sagat," Bison muttered. "I assure you. But you will not get Ryu until I have what I want. When I get the Clow Cards, I assure you that I shall bring Ryu to you…and you can crush him."

"Just as long as we're clear," Sagat growled. "I am not your servant. Remember that, Bison. We are merely…partners."

Bison smirked. "Of course…partner. Now everyone in the jet. We're going to Japan."

Sagat shot Bison a glance as he walked into the jet. His relationship with Bison had always been nothing more than a reluctant partnership. He knew how insane Bison really was, but Sagat knew that once he helped Bison take over the world, he would get Ryu and have his revenge.

Sagat also knew that Bison was a tactical genius. If he had been down in the shambles of the Shadaloo stronghold for so long planning this, then Bison's plan couldn't be anything less than flawless. But what WAS the plan?

Scene: Penguin Park (Three days later)

Perspective: Sakura Avalon

It was three more sleepless nights for Sakura, but it was looking like everything had settled down. There were no more attempts on her life since that fateful night at her house, but her friends weren't taking any chances. Li was walking in front of her. Madison stood at Sakura's right side. And Meilin Rae was walking right behind Sakura.

~* I feel like I have my own set of bodyguards. I can't take this anymore. I just have to get some breathing room! *~

Sakura finally stopped. "Guys…this isn't helping. I can't go on like this."

"What do you mean?" Li asked, still maintaining his position.

"We want to protect you, Sakura," Madison added.

"Don't move, Sakura," Meilin warned. "We don't want anyone trying to kill you."

"But this isn't worth it!" Sakura cried. "I can barely breathe. This is no way to keep living my life. Can I at least take a breather?"

Her friends seemed reluctant. Finally, Li gave in. "I guess you're right. You can sit down…but don't go too far."

Sakura sighed when she thought of these last few days. Every minute, she was within arms reach of one of her friends; if it wasn't Li, then it was either Madison or Meilin. Sakura just wanted a breath of fresh air. Just as Sakura walked over to the tree to sit down…

…Madison lunged at her. "Sakura! Duck!"

Madison tackled Sakura and yet another poison dart flew by her head. Sakura couldn't believe it. The moment she walked a few inches away from her friends, she was nearly killed again. But Sakura could see a shadowy figure from a nearby bush…and so could Li.

Li didn't waste any time. He went right after the dark figure, nearly leaving everyone behind.

Sakura quickly got up. "Li! Wait for us!"

Of course, Sakura nearly did the same thing. She went off right after Li, nearly leaving her friends behind.

Scene: Penguin Park (A few minutes later)

Perspective: Li Shoran

Li could barely hear Sakura calling out for him. He didn't care at that moment. He had this would-be assassin right in his sights and he wouldn't let this fiend get away. This person wore black clothes and a hood, in the style of a ninja, and could cleverly cover his identity. Li continued chasing this person through Penguin Park, but this hooded ninja was fast.

~* I won't let you get away. You tried to kill the one person I love the most! I won't let you get away with that! *~

The ninja started to break away, but Li just wouldn't give up. He kept up with this ninja, who tried everything to knock Li out of the way. The ninja tried tossing over benches and carts, but nothing would slow Li down. Finally, the ninja tripped over a rock on the patch of grass. Before the ninja could get up, Li grabbed a hold of the ninja's leg. The ninja tried to kick with his other leg, but Li ducked it. Li flipped the ninja over, but the ninja landed on his feet. The ninja tried to turn and run, but Li grabbed him by the hood…and pulled it off.

Immediately, there was a flow of long hair. This wasn't a he at all. This ninja…was a girl…about his age. But she still tried to get away, so Li flipped her and held her arm in a deathgrip.

"Don't move," Li snarled.

"I don't want to have to hurt you, Li," she said. "I wasn't sent to hurt you."

Li blinked. "You know me?"

"I know who you are," the ninja said. "I was sent here on a mission. But part of my mission is to make sure you remain unharmed. My mission is to…kill HER!"

Li looked up to see that Sakura had caught up to them. Madison and Meilin came up right behind her and they all saw Li holding on to this ninja's arm.

"Why?" Li demanded. "Why are you trying to kill her? Who are you?"

The ninja struggled, but knew she wasn't getting away. "I am Katrina. I was sent here to make sure that Sakura Avalon died!"

"Who sent you?!" Li huffed. "Tell me!"

The ninja let out a smile. "You should know, Li. I was sent here…by your family back in Hong Kong. The Li clan gave me a very strict order to make sure Sakura was killed."

At that moment, everything fell apart for Li. He couldn't believe it. He knew his family didn't approve of his relationship with Sakura. They didn't want them together. But never in Li's wildest nightmares did he imagine that his family would resort to this.

"Is that true?" Sakura asked timidly.

"The clan wants this relationship ended!" Katrina snapped. "And they have sworn to end it by any means necessary, even if it means your death!"

Meilin glanced at Li. "I don't believe it. Would they really go this far?"

"The clan wants you two married," Katrina said, referring to Li and Meilin. "They had this marriage arranged and they refuse to accept otherwise. That's why I'm here. They sent me to eliminate this 'love' of yours so that you and Meilin can be married as the clan intended."

"I severed all ties with the clan," Li said coldly. "They're not my family anymore! If they won't let me be with Sakura, then I don't want them as my family! I thought we were all clear on that!"

"It's like I said," Katrina responded. "The clan refuses to accept otherwise. They want Sakura Avalon dead and, through her death, they expect both you and Meilin to return home and be married."

"I won't go back!" Li said sternly. "And you'd better not come back!" He let go of Katrina's arm. "Get out of my sight!"

Katrina brushed her hair back casually. "I'm not leaving. I was sent for a reason, and I will not stop until my mission is completed." Katrina reached for her bow.

Li pulled out something he hadn't taken out in a long time. It was his jade charm in which he called upon his sword. As his sword appeared, Li stepped in front of Sakura and he held it out right towards Katrina.

"I won't let you get to her," Li growled. "You'll have to kill me!"

Katrina shrugged and put her bow down. "You have guts, Li. I'm not surprised, though. You have a strong family bloodline. But you have to understand. I came to kill her. If you have a problem with that…I suggest you take it up with your family."

Li still held his sword out, but then he started to get an idea. "Maybe…WE should take it up with them."

Sakura stuck her head out behind Li's shoulder. "What do you mean?"

"I can't go on another day knowing the family wants you dead," Li answered. "We have to go see them. I'm going to put an end to this…once and for all." Then he glared at Katrina. "And you're coming with us."

Sakura blinked. "Li…maybe we should talk about this. This can't be as easy as it sounds."

As much as he hated to admit it, she was right. Li couldn't suddenly just pick up and run off to Hong Kong. He had to have some sort of plan to, if anything, inform the families. So Li turned around, but not before gripping Katrina by the arm.

"Let's…talk about this somewhere else."

Scene: Madison's guesthouse (or Li's current home)

Perspective: Sakura Avalon

This day had been so strange. Sakura had discovered her would-be killer, but what boggled her mind was why she was trying to kill her. She couldn't understand why Li's family was so desperate to have her killed. Did the arranged marriage really matter that much to them?

~* I don't know why any of this is happening. All I want is to be with Li. So why is his family so dead set against it? Do they really hate me that much? I just can't understand it. I hope I can find out. *~

She had to find out, and that's why she eventually agreed that they should all go over to Hong Kong. Of course, Sakura knew it wouldn't be that easy. That's why she had to call home.

"Hello."

"Tori…it's me."

"What is it now, squirt?"

"Something's…happened. It's Li's…mother. She's really sick and he has to go back to Hong Kong for a while. I…sort of need to go with him."

"Sakura…I've heard this before. You lied to me last time!"

"Tori, we went over that. You know why I had to do that. But this is the truth. I really have to go to Hong Kong. I can't let Li be by himself over there. He…needs me."

"You know how much it makes me shudder to hear that. You're not going to be by yourself, are you? I'd hate to think you and the brat are alone."

"Of…course not. Madison and Meilin are both coming along."

Sakura then motioned to her two friends…making a plea. They both nodded.

"All right then, when are you leaving?"

"As soon as possible. Tomorrow."

"Whatever, squirt. I hope you know what you're doing."

"Relax, Tori. I'll be fine. I'll talk to you later."

Sakura hung up Madison's phone and sighed deeply. She looked around. Madison already had a couple of suitcases out, ready to be filled at any given moment. Her life had taken an unusual turn on this day.

"Sakura…" Madison began. "Are you going to tell Kero?"

"I have to," Sakura said. "Kero's one of us, too. Of course he's going."

Katrina blinked. "Kero?"

"He's…the guardian beast," Sakura added. "We've known each other ever since I first opened the Clow Book when I was ten."

"Oh, that's another thing," Katrina said slyly. "I think if you value your life, you'll have to prove your worth to the Li clan. I think it would be in your best interests to have the Clow Book with you."

"Wait a minute!" Li chimed in. "Why should we take the Clow Book? The family knows that Sakura can use the Clow Cards."

"But she was still green, was she not?" Katrina shot back. "Sakura has matured fully as the true mistress of the Clow Cards. I'm sure it would help your case if you proved to the family that Sakura would make a much better wife than Meilin."

"Well…I wouldn't say MUCH better," Meilin said, feeling hurt.

"You know what I mean," Katrina went on. "The family feels Sakura is weak. That's why they feel she isn't worthy to be a part of the family. You need to prove to them otherwise and you can do that by bringing the Clow Book."

~* The Clow Book? It's…been such a long time. I never thought I'd need it again. *~

Sakura hesitated. She didn't know what to think. She had to admit, she was much stronger than she used to be. But she wasn't sure about bringing the Clow Book. She had it stored away for so many years ever since she sealed them all. Sakura wasn't sure if she should do it, but then she looked into the eyes of her best friend, Madison. Her blue eyes shimmered with hope.

"I'm sure Kero won't mind," she said gently. "Besides…I think you'll need it, Sakura."

Her best friend's confidence helped, but Sakura still wasn't sure. So she looked at Li. "What do you think?"

"I guess we have no choice," Li said. "Anything to convince the family to just leave us alone."

Sakura sighed. There was nothing left to do, except pack…and dust off the Clow Book. They were all going back to Hong Kong.

Scene: Airplane to Hong Kong (The next day)

Perspective: Sakura Avalon

Sakura grabbed the glass of water next to her airplane seat. Then she noticed her hand was trembling. Sakura put the glass down and closed her eyes. She had been a nervous wreck these past few days. With the attempts on her life and the realization that Li's family wanted her dead was too much for Sakura. She could lay back into the arms of the one person who could relieve her tension. She let Li wrap his arms around her.

"You'll be ok," he said comfortingly. "I promise. We'll straighten this out."

"I'm not sure about this," another voice said. It was Kero, who was sitting in Sakura's pocket.

"What do you mean, Kero?" Sakura asked.

"There's just something that doesn't feel right about any of this," Kero replied. "And it doesn't just involve the kid's family. There's something in the air…something…evil. But I can't put my finger on it. I've never sensed anything like this."

Sakura didn't say anything after those ominous words.

~* I don't like the sound of that. It might just be that Kero hasn't been around the Clow Cards in such a long time. But still…a sense of evil? What could it be? *~

Sakura pondered that while she laid back in Li's arms. But she glanced at the three seats in front of her. She could see Madison, Meilin, and…the assassin, Katrina. If anyone seemed anything close to evil…it had to be Katrina, the girl who tried to kill her. She seemed very callous in her attempts to kill Sakura…maybe Kero was sensing her.

But if the evil wasn't coming from Katrina…then who was it coming from?


Next Time: Now everyone's heading to Hong Kong. Li is ready to confront his family, but will there be any side-trips along the way? And will more of Bison's plan be unraveled?


Any comments so far? I'd like to know what you think, so mail me at AmericanCaptor@hotmail.com and please review below because your feedback's important to me!